Press Release Clearing #3 - City Fleet Greener Than Ever

Finally, we get some good transit news. The City of Guelph has earned an E3 certification for the environmental high standard of its transit fleet. Read this press release for all the details.

GUELPH, ON, June 10, 2010 – The City of Guelph is one of only two municipalities in Ontario to receive an E3 silver rating for sustainable fleet management. It is also the only municipality in Ontario to receive a silver rating for its transit fleet. The designation was announced in Toronto this afternoon by Roger Smith of Fleet Challenge Ontario, the E3 affiliate in Ontario.

“Guelph can take pride in being the first municipality in Ontario to achieve a silver rating for our transit fleet,” said Mayor Karen Farbridge. “The E3 Fleet rating is proof of Guelph's commitment to reducing our environmental impact, including greenhouse gas emissions."

The E3 Fleet is a made-in-Canada Rating System to recognize fleet performance in terms of Environment, Energy and Excellence. Under the E3 Fleet program, public and private sector fleets can seek formal ratings on staff training, idle reduction practices, vehicle purchasing practices, fleet operations and maintenance, trip and route planning, fuel efficiency and greenhouse gas performance.

The City undertook a comprehensive fleet review in 2008 as part of the E3 rating criteria. Armed with this data, the City adopted several policies. These policies ensure that City employees are accountable for reducing fuel operating expenses by minimizing engine idling. Staff are trained on fuel efficiency for vehicle and equipment operation. The purchase of right size vehicles further decreases the City's carbon footprint and result in lower capital costs.

“We are pleased to be the second municipality in Ontario to be awarded with a silver rating. Earning the E3 rating has been a two year process and involved several departments of our organization,” said Bill Barr, the City’s Manager of Fleet and Equipment.

The City will continue to monitor its fleet performance using the E3 rating system to determine where further improvements are possible. The City's next audit will be in two years.

Visit www.e3fleet.com for more information.